BRIGHT RUGBY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24326, 17 June 1940, Page 4

BRIGHT RUGBY

SOUTHERN BEATEN OUTPLAYED BY UNIVERSITY A KAIKORAI WINS MURPHY •MEMORIAL j,.' , Easily the most entertaining Rugby of the Dunedin season was provided in the University A-Southern; match at Carisbrook on Saturday. Weatherand ground conditions were almost ideal, and the University side played sparkling football. Its win by 13 points to 3 was the first scored against Southern this season, and leaves University A one point behind Southern, with its match against University B still to be played. Unless the B’s score a surprise win in that match, University A will lead the competition by one point. The other successful teams on Saturday were Kaikorai against Alhambra in the match for the Murphy Memorial Trophy, Pirates against Zingari-Ricb-mond, Dunedin against Taieri, and Union at the expense of University B. The detailed results were:— University A... 13 Southern 3 Kaikorai .. .. 10 Allnmbra .. 3 Union • .. .. 11 University 8.. 6 Pirates ~ •. 8 Zingari .. 2 Dunedin .. .. 15 Taieri 6 The state of the championship is now as follows: —

University A and University B, end Zingari-Richmond and Taieri ’have yet to play matches which were held over. SPARKLING RUGBY UNIVERSITY FIREWORKS The form shown by University A In beating Southern at Carisbrook was ample confirmation of the excellent impression this side has been building up since the start of the secson, It delighted a crowd of over 3000. ana left no doubt whatever about the merit of the students’ win by 13 points to 3. With the scrum winning a good supply of ball, the University backs launched passing from all parts of the field, and their pace and initiative resulted in sparkling Rugby. T. Berghan, at first fiveeighth, was the general of the side, and he gave an exhibition worthy of the splendid reputation he established with the last All Black team in Australia. Right from the first whistle the game was one of unusually fast movement. Except for the fact that L, H. Simpson was not giving good passes'from the base of the University scrum, the Light Blue backs gave an outstanding exhibition. Berghan was able to gather passes from' all angles, and he and the men outside him made repeated breaks that had the Southern defence extended, to the utmost. P. Skelly, at second five-eighth, and in particular R. L. Jones, atv centre, time after time beat their opposites and sliced the de-

fence in two.' With- J. Peterson and J. Green on the wings, the University backs set the pace throughout the game, and it was only last-minute mistakes that prevented them from establishing a much bigger margin , in the scores. The fall-back, T. Kawe, showed a complete reversal of form. On the previous Saturday he was unable to do anything right Against Southern his fielding was always safe, and sometimes brilliant, and his kicking was good The two sets of forwards were evenly matched, with what honours there were probably with the Southern pack. The scrummaging was most vigorous, and both packs got the ball back smartly and cleanly. The Southern forwards, with G. McDonald, T. Wallace. and H, Holley usually prominent, made many fine clearances, and it certainly was not their fault, that their side was beaten. W. Murphy, C. N. D. Taylor, R. Logan, and V. L. Smith were an energetic quartet in , the University pack, but there was not a loafer >n either side, and the forward play was of an excellent standard. Southern’s new half-back, R. Watts, was a suc-

cess. He sent out accurate passes, and was always up with the play, and S. Robert, at first five-eighth, handled and kicked well. Southern’s defence was good. In fact, the tackling jf both sides was determined and sound; but the pace of the Light Blues, was the deciding factor The Southern full-back, E. Bolton, gave one of his best displays. His clever anticipation, fielding, and sound tackling extricated his side from many difficult positions. University’s three tries r” resulted from speedy passing rushes. , Peterson scored early in the game after Jones made a break, and the second try resulted from a typical Berghan move. He cut through strongly from just inside Southern’s twenty-five, took Bolton’s tackle between the posts, and gave Skelly a fine try. P. F, Foot converted both tries. Southern scored its only try in the first half, when Watts dived round a, scrum. The second half was equally hard fought, but the only try was scored when

Berghan cut round the short side, ran straight to the line, and passed infield for Logan to score. Several other movements went within an ace of success. but the game ended: ■ > . ■ University A ..13 points. Southern .. .. 3 points. Mr L. Dickey was the referee. DUNEDIN BEATS TAIERI COUNTRY . TEAM LACKS FINISH Taieri started off well against Dunedin at the Caledonian Ground. Their forwards hooked the ball repeatedly to Whitson, and he sent his outside backs away in movements. Gavin Murray, Taieri’s heavy, strongrunning centre,, taking some stopping when he was under way. There was, however, a lack of finish in the country men’s play Taieri could secure only three points in the first half, Wilkins kicking a penalty goal from straight in front shortly after the commencement of play. From a broken scrum D. Rodden passed smartly to Spillane, who potted a fine goal, and the Dunedin second five-eighth also kicked a penalty goal, Dunedin leading at half time by 7 points to 3 points. Both sides had opportunities of scoring in the second spell, but the attacks were breaking down at the critical stage. Grant was doing great work in the Taieri forward play, and L. Marshall and Treacy were showing out for Dunedin. From a throw-in near the Taieri line Scully forced his way over, and Spillane missed -with the kick, The teams were now tiring, and the play had lost a lot of its interest. Manion put his side in position with a tricky run. and Treacy scored from tight play near the line. Doogan kicked a goal from near the touch line and Dunedin had the game in safe keeping, 15—3. Taieri rallied ir the closing stages of the game, and after a spectacular piece of passing between forwards and backs, Johnstone scored. ■ Wilkins missed the kick at goal, and the final whistle vvent shortly after. Dunedin .. .. .. 15 points. Taieri 6 points. Mr G. McKay was the referee. WIN FOR UNION STUDENTS FIGHT HARD University B came to light in its match against Union at Logan Park on Saturday and held the Union team well in an interesting match. The play was dominated by the forceful forward play of both packs, with both halfbacks working well. University had to contend with a strong sun in the first spell, hnd Union kept the student team hard pressed. Two penalty kicks which were awarded to Union were taken by Fleming and Silver respectively. but both failed. After a not particularly well co-ordinated Union attack, Vorrath managed to cross the line. Fleming converting the try. A counter-attack launched by University proved successful, Mee diving over to open the students’ score. Broughton’s kick failed. Mee also scored the students’ second try. which was also unconverted. Fleming and Silver both put over penalties before the end of the game, which was becoming somewhat ragged, the ball being constantly kicked into touch. The final score was:— Union .. 11 points. University B .... 6 points. The referee was Mr R. Quintrell. ZINGARI-RICHMOND DEFEATED NARROW WIN FOR PIRATES After a ragged and uninteresting game at Tahuna, Pirates scored a narrow victory over Zingari-Richmond by 8 points to 3. Pirates, perhaps, were the better balanced team, but on neither side was the play in any way constructive, and throughout the game there were only two connected movements. both of them by the winning The bright spot of the match was a good try in the first half by Perriam. who got possession, just inside the halfway mark and went clean through the defence to score near the posts. He converted his try, and the balance of Pirates’ points were contributed by R. Payne, one of the wingers, who went over wide out after a dash down the touch line. A. Mason kicked a penalty goal for Zingari. making the; final scores: ’ : • • Pirates ....... 8 points. Zingari-Richmond 3 points. Mr R. Miller was the referee. , MURPHY TROPHY MATCH KAIKORAI BEATS ALHAMBRA Retaining the Murphy Trophy in the annual match against Alhambra. Kaikorai won an interesting and harafought match by 10 points to 3 on its home ground on Saturday. A large crowd of spectators watched the game, which was not won until well on in the second half. The teams were very well matched, although three of IJhe regular Alhambra players had departed on Saturday morning for camp, and, with both packs working hard throughout and the opposing backs endeavouring to play an open game, there

was plenty of incident in the match. The Alhambra inside backs were not very, impressive on attack and it was the superiority of the opposing back line that proved the deciding factor. There was no score in the first half, and it was not until well after the spell that Kaikorai opened its score Calder broke up an Alhambra passing rush,- and, with a clever dummy and swerve, went through the defence and scored near the posts. Spiers con. verted. Alhambra had the better of the play in the concluding stages, but could not press home the advantage. Then Broadfoot kicked a penalty, and there was some excitement as Alhambra tried to take the lead. Murray put the game . beyond all doubt when he gathered in the ball after an Alhambra passing rush had broken down and dashed up the side line to score. Spiers converted, making the final score 1 Kaikorai .... 10 pojnts. Alhambra 3 points. Mr R, Caradus was the referee. JUNIOR MATCHES Second Grade Union 10, Alhambra 6. Port Chalmers 19, Zingari 3. Third Grade Ravensbourne 14, Pirates D nil. Southern 17, University D 8. Intermediate Grade * Section 1 Training College 20, University 9. Fourth Grade Union "7, Taieri n ! l. Fifth Grade Kaikorai 14, Pirates H 3. IN OTHER CENTRES PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (Pen United Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 15. Marists 17. Suburbs 6. Shore 11. Ponsonby 9. Training College 18 Technical 9. Otahuhu 13, Grammar 8. WELLINGTON. June 15. First Division Wellington 3. University 3. Poneke 13. Petone 11. Athletic 6, Hutt 3. Eastbourne 15, Oriental 3. St. Patrick's 0.8. 8. Wellington College 0.8, 6. Marist Brothers 0.8. 8. Johnsonville 6. . Second Division Petone 12, Poneke nil. Mirapiar 10, Marist Brothers 0.8. 5. Onslow 26, Pirates 9. Athletic, a bye. CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. Christchurch 20. Army 6. University 16. Southern 6. Old Boys 6. Technical 3, Sunnyside 6. Merivale nil. Albion ft, Brighton 12. Air Force 16. Athletic 6. INVERCARGILL. June 15. Invercargill 6. Bluff 3. Old Boys 24. Marist nil. Pirates 11. Star 11. MANAWATU BEATS WANGANUI PALMERSTON N., June 15. Manawatu beat Wanganui this afternoon by 22 points to 11.

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Southern 3 6 1 1 94 57 13 University A .. 7 6 1 — 88 47 12 Union .. Jv* 8 6 2 — 85 48 12 Pirates .. • 8 5 3r 123 81 10, Dunedin .. 8 4 3' 1 106 88 9 Alhambra 8 2 4 2 79 101 6 Zingari .. .. 7 2 4 1 39 59 5 Kaikorai .. 8 2 6 — 57 69 4 University B .. 7 1 5 1 67 147 3 Taieri 7 1 6 — 45 90 2